The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MIDFIELD genius, Pasca Manhanga thinks that Manica Diamonds will get a true picture of their Castle Lager Premiership title contenders credentials after the next four league fixtures where they will face this season’s trickiest opponents – starting with Sunday’s potentially scintillating clash against FC Platinum at Sakubva Stadium.
Manica Diamonds gave early warning shots, threatening to perform a smash and grab act in this 2021/2022 Castle Lager Premiership season title race and only lost grip last weekend when they settled for a one-all stalemate against Cranborne Bullets away at Baobab Stadium in Mhondoro.
The result left second-placed, Gem Boys trailing log leaders, Chicken Inn by two points.
On Sunday, Johanisi Nhumwa will be commanding his charges from the touchline against FC Platinum at Sakubva Stadium in a potentially explosive encounter that can go either way.
After facing Norman Mapeza’s Pure Platinum Play, Manica Diamonds will be in for a true test of character when they travel to Bulawayo to face fellow title chasing, Chicken Inn.
Unpredictable Bulawayo Chiefs will be their next opponents at Sakubva before the Gem Boys take on high ridding, Dynamos also at Sakubva.
The four fixtures will surely have a telling effect on Manica Diamonds’ ability to challenge for honours this season, given that they will be facing some of the most feared clubs for this season.
And 30-year-old midfielder, Manhanga believes that his team badly needs to collect at least nine of the possible 12 points from the next four league matches.
The former Chisamba Primary and Mutare Boys’ High learner is convinced that Manica Diamonds can go all the way to win the Premiership title given the depth in the squad, but they only need to remain focused.
He has turned out for Mutare United, Thsolotsho FC, Triangle FC, Highlanders, How Mine, Bulawayo City and now Manica Diamond, but all he has to show for his career is the Chibuku Super Cup trophy he won with the sugarcane growers of Triangle.
Thus he believes the time has come for him to lay his hands on the coveted Premiership title silverware.
Manhanga said: “We have been playing well as a team and I have no doubt that we can last the distance and go all the way to win the Premiership title. Personally, I also believe that this will be my first season to win the top-flight league title. We just need to remain focused as a team. The next four matches are tricky, but we need to get at least nine out of the possible 12 points. If all goes well, getting all the 12 points will send a strong message in the race for the Premiership title.”
On Sunday’s match against FC Platinum, the diminutive midfielder, who is blessed with breathtaking dribbling skills and an excellent ball passing aptitude, said: “It will not be an easy match for both teams. FC Platinum are a big team and playing against them on its own it is a source of motivation for many players in this league.
“We are going into Sunday’s match knowing the importance of getting maximum points. Yes, FC Platinum will also be gunning for maximum points and that is the nature of the competition, but we just have to keep focused on our side to ensure that when the referee blows the final whistle we will be celebrating.”
Manhanga urged Manica Diamonds supporters in particular and football followers in Mutare in general to take their time out to support the team representing their interests in the top-flight league.
“I am aware that we have Dynamos, CAPS United and Highlanders supporters here in Mutare, but for once, we need every football loving person of Mutare to come to Sakubva Stadium to render support to the team. Manica Diamonds is more than just a Mutare football club especially this season as we endevour to wrestle the league title. We need everyone in Manicaland to come and support us even in our away matches.”
